SIT Conference 2017 in Normal, IL

My students never cease to amaze me! This year Sheridan had two groups present at the SIT Conference at Heartland Community College. If you are not familiar with the conference, it is a conference for kids, by kids. My two groups presented Adventures in 3D Printing and Battle Bots.

Adventures in 3D Printing shared resources ranging from purchasing a printer to finding pre-made files to creating your own through Printcraft and ultimately Tinkered. To find out more visit their website.

​My second group presented on their experiences building their own Battle Bots. This group was

excited to share how they 3D printed and put together their first robots! They did a lot of research on the different types of add-ons you could use to improve your robots chances to defeat the opponent. Go to their website to see their process.

4 Ed Tech Trends to Try

Edutopia looked back on how educators integrated technology into their instruction. In 2015 teachers used technology to engage students, increase content connections and efficiently manage their classes. (Full article: 2015's Ed Tech Trends in Review) Here are 4 things to consider trying in your classroom.

3D Printing

Yes, we have one in the building (a PrintBot Simple Metal to be specific)! 3D printing can be used to help students make cross-curricular connections. I am just starting to feel comfortable with it, but our students will soon be building and printing. Check out Thingverse to see project ideas. I would love to hear your ideas for curriculum integration!

​Rethinking Delivery

Flipped learning continued to trend in ed tech for 2015. Have you thought about how to deliver content via media, thus opening up your time to work with students in small groups? If this idea is intriguing to you, check out these tools: Screencast-o-matic, EdPuzzle, Zaption, Blendspace or NearPod. Let me know if you'd like to know more about any of these. I'd be happy to give you a tutorial.

​Collaboration vs 1:1

Common Core has demanded it and ed tech is meeting the need. Did you know that District 87 and FTC built a "Google Drive-ish" tool called File Blimp that keeps our students' data private? Your students can work on the same document and see editing in real time. Our 5th grade classes used it to do a little Thanksgiving Research and it was a success. Check out File Blimp on your Awesome dashboard! Let me know if you'd like to work together on something.

Tech to Stay Social

In 2015, teachers joined Facebook groups and Twitter chats to connect with teachers across the world. Have you participated in a Twitter chat? If you are looking for one consider these: #tlap, #satchat, #edtechchat, #kinderchat, #bfc530. All you have to do is find a chat, follow the conversations and learn about the topic! If that isn't you style, consider Participate Learning. This site allows educators to make lists of their favorite resources and find resources that others are using.. They were at the Feast last summer and were quite exciting.

Kristi Sutter

In 2009 I was given the chance to move into the best job in the world- Library Media Specialist!